Gracious Powerful Leadership is a result of choosing to intentionally consider relationships as the baseline or as your default to manage your life and your work, and to walk in this world with other people and establish a powerful presence.

 

From my experience and expertise, our behavior is at the heart of effective leadership. Some behaviors are known to be effective in engaging with others and in sustaining dynamic relationships. Our behavior is a foundation for a powerful presence and a bridge to creating and sustaining effective relationships. Being prepared increases communication and results.

Some of the tried and true formulas are relevant in new and challenging times.

Etiquette and protocol principles are proven strategies for creating collaborative work cultures. When practiced consistently, business etiquette and protocol and social etiquette knowledge will increase your presence and influence, create collaborative cultures and develop and sustain relationships across generational lines.

During my work in the succession planning process, apart from technical or subject matter deficiencies, the reasons promotions were denied or delayed fell into the civility, business protocol and business etiquette, diplomacy, social and professional skill, and people management categories. These are key leadership behaviors and skills.

Below are my top tips for effective behaviors that help you lead from us:

• Know basic professional, business and social etiquette
• Professional/Business etiquette is based on rank
• Social etiquette is based on gender and age
• When introducing yourself to others give your full name and say something about yourself. Stand, make eye contact, and extend your hand if you shake hands.
• During business introductions, the person with the highest rank receives the person with the lowest rank. Therefore, say the name of the person with the higher rank first.
  Example: Vice President Kamala Harris, meet John Jones, our Director of Operations.
• During social introductions, a senior person receives a younger person. Therefore, say the name of the senior person first. Example: Mr. Rivera, meet John Smith, one of my students.
• During social introductions, the woman receives the man. Say the name of the female first. Example: Barbara Harris, meet John Lewis. We went to college together.
• During dining, silverware is used from the outside in. Forks are on the left. The knife and spoon are on the right. Follow BMW for place settings: B bread plate is on the left. M main course is in the middle, and W water/liquids are on the right.
• During networking and connection opportunities, have an agenda and plan beforehand. Be polished and prepared. Why are you there? Who do you want to meet? Follow up. Follow up. Follow up. Effective networking is learned behaviors and skills. Read about it and practice. I recommend The Intentional Networker by Patti DeNucci.

Call to action: 

1. Self-study—Google the top 10 etiquette books. Choose one from the list and keep it available for quick reference. Practice the tips you learn. Practice is about mastery, not perfection.
2. Leadership and Professional Development—Reach out to me for team building, coaching and training in this area.